Spectreview: SUNN O))) – Life Metal

-SPRING GREEN-

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If metal as a genre is defined by loudness, then Sunn O))) are the distillation of metal at its essence, capturing the force of sound at its most visceral. The name comes from a brand of amplifier, and the best works of the band’s 20-year career place you in the middle of squalls of noise so palpable as to push your head right next to the speakers. Life Metal, one of two upcoming albums produced by Steve Albini, is consequently one of the band’s finest moments, benefitting from an entirely analog, entirely live production that gives their trademark assault a brighter, warmer coat of paint. Drone metal has never felt more inviting in this format, and the heavily distorted guitars of Greg Anderson and Stephen O’Malley blend beautifully under Albini’s wing. The accompanying instrumentation, including synth, pipe organ and electric cello, twist and weave through the fray, creating striking moments. The climax of the monolithic “Troubled Air” features several instruments layered into a symphonic cacophony, while “Aurora” sizzles over phasing notes, both disorienting and comforting. While drone metal always takes a little patience to sink into, Life Metal’s four tracks are recorded so well and constructed so sturdily that even newcomers to the genre won’t have a hard time sinking their teeth into this record.

Recommended if you need a massage and you have a really nice sound system.